Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-04-21
From the Daily Blade Of Jackson, Tennessee
THE CASE OF FRANK DORSEY.

charged with larceny. Briefly told the case
Is as follows: Hall and Dorsey, two young
men of good address, in the pursuit OF their
legitimate business, arrived in Nashville IN
December. 1885. and took board at Mrs.
Dunlap's; Hall, having preceded Dorsey
about a week, had made the acquaintance
of quite a number of persons to whom ne
introduced his friend Dorsey after his arrl-
val. The two young men were received IN
TO the best social circles and soon became
quite popular On the 7th day of January,
Hall and Dorsey were arrested under
charge of larceny; Dorsey was taken to the
station house where he was searched, but
nothing to sustain the charge was found a.
bout him; Hall was arrested few hours
later and upon his being searched several OF
the stolen articles were found on his person.
All the missing articles, consisting of cloth
ing. watches and iewelry, were found In
possession of or traced to Hall nothing was
found in the possession of or traced to Dor
sey. There was no proof that he had any
connection with the theft, but the fact was
established that he had visited the houses
where the crimes were committed in compa-
ny with Hall.
Hall was released on a -, 800 bond, and
two DAYS later when the case was called the
prisoner not responding, the bond was de-
clared forfeited but like most bonds in such
cases was found worthless. DOrsey's trial
began, he having no counsel, the attorney
of Hall made affidavit that a continuance
was necessary in order to produce Hall, who
would be an important witness for Dorsey;
but the continuance was denied by the court
and a severance ordered. The evidence in
the case of the stolen watch and watch
chain. was that Dorsey visited the stores
with Hall The only testimony by the pros
ecutor was &" My clerks said that the young
men were in my store together, that is all |
know about it," Dorsey had no attorney /;
he was only boy and a stranger in the city.
He knew he was innocent of any crime and
made no defense, and as we have said above,
the only evidence against Elm was that he
was in the company of Hall when the latter
stole the goods
There were two charges for petit and one
for grand larceny. The Judge charged the
Jury and the jury retired on the grand lar
ceny case.
While the jury was out the attorney urg-
ed Dorsey to plead guilty to the charge in
the petit larceny case. He was persuaded
and frightened into IA consent to receive one
year each in the petit larceny cases before
the Jury returned to render the verdict in
the grand larceny case; to the astonish-
ment of the boy the verdict was guilty, and
the penalty fixed at three years, the jury
agreeing to add one year each in the two
larceny cases, making five years in the three
charges. The judge did not even pass SEN
tence, but the boy was hustled off to the
penitentiary in less than one hour after his
trial was over.
Dorsey is bright intelligent young man,
of honest aud highly respectable parentage.
His father and mother are poor hard work
ing people and are heart broke at the terri
BILE disgrace of their unfortunate son. No
one who knows Frank Dorsey, and knows
the circumstances of his conviction will
believe for moment that he is guilty; yet
he has now suffered over a years imprison-
ment for Halls Crime.
When he was arrested. being young and
inexperienced he knew not what to do had
he only had friend to counsel and advise
him, he would have been acquitted and his
Young life not have been blighted.
Dorsey had fallen into bad company.
Hall was slick shrewd fellow, and knew
we'll how TO shield himself behind his innO-
cent friend.
Hall has made the following statement
in reference to his case:
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Feb. 18th, 1887
deem it proper and right to make the
following true statement in regard to the
case of Hall and Dorsey:
|. w. ;. Hall and J. F. Dorsey came to
Nashville in December, 1885; | preceded
Dorsey ten days. On his arrival, in which
time. through a friend of mine of Louis
vile, KY, made many acquaintarces, he
knowing my standing in that city, felt no
hesitancy in introducing me. In the course
of time introduced Dorsey to these friends.
Dorsey to my knowledge, did not make
any calls or attend any social events what
ever during our stay at Nashville he being
of quiet nature and retiring disposition.
We visited the store of Nimmerfall on
January the 9TH, SO, and a missing watch
led TO our arrest some hours later. Dorsey
was arrested at P. m, at SCOTS Hotel,
and was arrested between 10 and II p. m
as | was leaving the residence of friend.
When Dorsey was searched none of the
missing articles were found on his person.
Dorsey, to my knowledge, always led a
| straightforward life, and our pursuance
was that of legitimate business as has
| been shown heretofore. On going TO these
| business houses there was no understanding
| between us TO commit theft. | did not see
Dorsey take anything while on the premises
| of the prOprietOrs, no criminal intentions
were mentioned while in those stores. The
missing articles were identified some time
afterwards by the following parties, viz;
Cohen. Numerical and Thurman. | was
released on a s.. 500 bond two days previous
/ 10 trial and left knowing nothing whatever
Of the proceedings against Dorsey. Ny re-
arrest in st. Louis was purely accidental as
/ there was no reward offered for me and
! had no fear of being apprehended | had
/ been in Kentucky ever since left Nashville,
/ Tan 'S6 and had heen living an honest